SORPTION OF CESIUM USING KZnFc ON PHOSPHORIC ACID-BASED GEOPOLYMER

The adsorbent was synthesized from the acid-base reaction between metal ferrocyanide and acidic phosphate at room temperature. The metal ferrocyanide granular inorganic adsorbent based on phosphate geopolymer for the removal of cesium in either batch or packed-bed operation has been developed in this study. In this work, the compressive strength of granular inorganic adsorbent was investigated under different liquid-to-solid, metal ferrocyanide-to-geopolymer and MgO-to-KH2PO4 ratios. The result showed that the compressive strength of the adsorbent increased with the increase of MgO-to- KH2PO4 ratio. It was found that the optimization of metal ferrocyanide-to-geopolymer and MgO-to- KH2PO4 ratios was important in improving both the compressive strength and the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent. The metal ferrocyanide granular inorganic adsorbent prepared were characterized by analysis such as XRD, TGA, FTIR and SEM spectra. In this study, the synthesized granular inorganic adsorbent has demonstrated a Cs removal efficiency of over 99 % and an adsorption capacity of 1.7-1.8 meq.g-1 in simulation wastewater containing 2000 ppm Cs under adsorbent dose of 0.0067 g.ml-1

Modulatory Function of Invariant Natural Killer T Cells in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease with complex immunological and clinical manifestations. Multiple organ failure in SLE can be caused by immune dysfunction and deposition of autoantibodies. Studies of SLE-susceptible loci and the cellular and humoral immune responses reveal variable aberrations associated with this systemic disease. Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are a unique subset of lymphocytes that control peripheral tolerance. Mounting evidence showing reductions in the proportion and activity of iNKT cells in SLE patients suggests the suppressive role of iNKT cells. Studies using murine lupus models demonstrate that iNKT cells participate in SLE progression by sensing apoptotic cells, regulating immunoglobulin production, and altering the cytokine profile upon activation. However, the dichotomy of iNKT cell actions in murine models implies complicated interactions within the body's milieu. Therefore, application of potential therapy for SLE using glycolipids to regulate iNKT cells should be undertaken cautiously

Lead Exposure Is Associated with Decreased Serum Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) Activity and Genotypes

Lead exposure causes cardiac and vascular damage in experimental animals. However, there is considerable debate regarding the causal relationship between lead exposure and cardiovascular dysfunction in humans. Paraoxonase 1 (PON1), a high-density lipoprotein-associated antioxidant enzyme, is capable of hydrolyzing oxidized lipids and thus protects against atherosclerosis. Previous studies have shown that lead and several other metal ions are able to inhibit PON1 activity in vitro. To investigate whether lead exposure has influence on serum PON1 activity, we conducted a cross-sectional study of workers from a lead battery manufactory and lead recycling plant. Blood samples were analyzed for whole-blood lead levels, serum PON1 activity, and three common PON1 polymorphisms (Q192R, L55M, −108C/T). The mean blood lead level (± SD) of this cohort was 27.1 ± 15 μg/dL. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that blood lead levels were significantly associated with decreased serum PON1 activity (p < 0.001) in lead workers. This negative correlation was more evident for workers who carry the R192 allele, which has been suggested to be a risk factor for coronary heart disease. Taken together, our results suggest that the decrease in serum PON1 activity due to lead exposure may render individuals more susceptible to atherosclerosis, particularly subjects who are homozygous for the R192 allele

LD2SNPing: linkage disequilibrium plotter and RFLP enzyme mining for tag SNPs

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Linkage disequilibrium (LD) mapping is commonly used to evaluate markers for genome-wide association studies. Most types of LD software focus strictly on LD analysis and visualization, but lack supporting services for genotyping.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We developed a freeware called LD₂SNPing, which provides a complete package of mining tools for genotyping and LD analysis environments. The software provides SNP ID- and gene-centric online retrievals for SNP information and tag SNP selection from dbSNP/NCBI and HapMap, respectively. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) enzyme information for SNP genotype is available to all SNP IDs and tag SNPs. Single and multiple SNP inputs are possible in order to perform LD analysis by online retrieval from HapMap and NCBI. An LD statistics section provides <it>D</it>, <it>D'</it>, <it>r</it>², <it>δ</it>_<it>Q</it>, <it>ρ</it>, and the <it>P </it>values of the Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium for each SNP marker, and Chi-square and likelihood-ratio tests for the pair-wise association of two SNPs in LD calculation. Finally, 2D and 3D plots, as well as plain-text output of the results, can be selected.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>LD₂SNPing thus provides a novel visualization environment for multiple SNP input, which facilitates SNP association studies. The software, user manual, and tutorial are freely available at <url>http://bio.kuas.edu.tw/LD2NPing</url>.</p

Infectious Alopecia in a Dog Breeder After Renal Transplantation

Tinea capitis rarely occurs in renal transplant recipients. We report this living-related renal transplant patient receiving cyclosporine-based therapy who initially presented with severe exfoliation of the scalp with yellowish-white scales and marked hair loss. The lesions extended to the frontal area and both cheeks, resulting in several skin ulcers with perifocal erythematous inflammatory changes, and palpable cervical lymph nodes. A biopsy of a skin lesion revealed fungal infection and culture yielded Microsporum canis. The patient mentioned an outbreak of ringworm in her breeding dogs during this period. After adequate treatment of the patient and her infected animals with griseofulvin and disinfection of the environment, her skin lesions resolved dramatically, with regrowth of hair